Update...{May 12, 2013}

Jane met with her team of doctors on Friday, May 10th at MD Anderson.  Based on the team of doctors' interpretation of the most recent test results, Jane's doctors have concluded that Jane will need to come off the present clinical drug trial as there is new, convincing evidence that it appears that the cancer is growing in a new area, around her right kidney, and not responding effectively to the clinical drug.  Although this is disappointing, the ABT 348 clinical drug trial did, in fact, eliminate the disease in Jane's abdomen where it had spread to from her pelvic area which is very positive. 

Additionally, it looks like there is some blockage in the two ureters, which are thin tubes made up of muscle fibers, that connect the kidneys to the bladder and are part of the urinary tract system.  This blockage is most likely caused by a combination of the side effects from the radiation treatments from twelve years ago, side effects from the most current chemotherapy drugs and the metastasized, adenocarcinoma cancer.  To alleviate and treat the blockage, the doctors use a ureteral stent which is basically a very small, approx. 12 inch long plastic tube inserted inside the ureter to keep it from blocking up.  The doctors were able to place a ureteral stent in the right ureter through an out patient procedure yesterday which was positive, although it was pretty painful for Jane.  Further, it looks like Jane will have to be placed under a more general anesthesia to attempt to place a ureteral stent in the left ureter as the left ureter has more complicated blockage.  This procedure most likely needs to be performed before Jane heads to the next step as the next set of drugs also potentially have negative side effects on kidney functions.  Jane's team of doctors want to make sure that they have done all they can to care for Jane's kidneys and urinary tract system as they need to be as strong as possible to be handle the side effects from the new drugs.

Once the doctors are satisfied with Jane's situation with her kidneys, Jane will go onto a new regime of a combination of chemotherapy drugs.  We are hoping to start this new regime in the next week or so.  Since October 2011, we always knew that this was going to be a long and winding journey and we must persevere and carry on.  Jane is strong with a positive attitude and has come to rely on so many of you for support and inspiration. We sincerely appreciate that so many of our family and friends are walking together with us on this  road.  We continue to be very grateful for your prayers and support as we feel them and need them.  

Update...{May 6, 2013}

Jane met with her team of doctors today, Friday May 3rd, at MD Anderson to review the results of her most recent tests.  The CT scan showed new evidence around Jane's right kidney, which may or may not be a recurrence of the disease, and Jane's cancer marker levels were elevated.  Jane's doctors will review her case with a wider team and make a recommendation to us in the next week or so. Unfortunately, Jane will have to come off the present clinical trial if it appears the disease is recurrent in this new area of Jane's body. Jane's doctors have identified another clinical trial that it looks like Jane will be eligible to enroll in if we have to go that route. Jane's doctors have also recommended that Jane see a urologist to have her kidneys checked out just to be safe.

Our doctors have cautioned us not to get too high or too low over the course of this treatment as there would be good days and there would be more difficult days.  We have to stay steady on course as we are on Cycle 27, after having started at MD Anderson in October 2011.  We sincerely appreciate all the continued prayers, support and assistance. Thank you so much.

Update...{April 13, 2013}

Jane met with her team of doctors at MD Anderson yesterday, Friday April 12th.  Jane then started Cycle 26 on the experimental chemotherapy drug, ABT 348.  With the combination of drugs prescribed by her doctors, Jane has been able to address the various side effects caused by the experimental chemotherapy.  Her energy levels are good with a positive attitude.  Jane continues to attend rehabilitation therapy twice a week at MD Anderson to improve her mobility.  In three weeks, May 2nd and May 3rd, Jane will undergo another battery of tests in order for the doctors to "restage" the status of the cancer.  After reviewing the results of these tests, the doctors will again recommend a way forward for Jane.  Until then, Jane will enjoy the Spring weather in Houston!

We are amazed by the continued level of support, prayers and assistance provided by family, friends and loved ones after 26 three week Cycles (546 days by the way).  We are so grateful for so much unconditional love and as you pray for us, we pray for you.

Update...{March 26, 2013}

Jane met with her doctors from MD Anderson on Friday March 22nd. As an update, Jane continues to suffer from various side effects as a result of the ABT 348 drug including, among others, high blood pressure and migraine type headaches.  As many of you know, the ABT 348 is a protein based form of chemotherapy. In response, the doctors are prescribing medicines and they continue to fine tune the combination of drugs in an attempt to best manage those side effects.  After the doctor's examination, Jane started Cycle 25 on the ABT 348 experimental drug as it appears that Jane's cancer continues to respond to the experimental drug. Yes, we are on CYCLE 25!

Jane really has been a warrior through this process and we have relied on our faith to sustain us through these many cycles.  We remain grateful for the countless prayers, rosaries and support from so many of you.  Thank you again so much!

Changes to Schedule for Rosary

As you may know we have been praying the Rosary for Jane on Monday nights at 8pm in St Jude Chapel at Saint Vincent de Paul. We are thankful to so many who have joined us throughout the last few months.

Please note that tonight's rosary has been canceled. We encourage each of you to pray tonight wherever you are until we can get together again. We have so much to be thankful for, in Jane's health as well as so many other blessings.

Beginning next week on Monday night at 7pm we will gather together to pray in the church, in the St Jude alcove, rather than in the adoration chapel at SVDP at 8pm as we have done in the past.

Update...{March 1, 2013}

Jane met with her team of doctors today, Friday March 1st, at MD Anderson to review the results of yesterday's tests. The tests reveal that Jane's disease is basically stable, as it has not spread and not actively growing.  So Jane will remain on the experimental drug, ABT 348, only as this drug appears to be "controlling" the cancer at this point.  As a result of this progress, Jane will not go back on the traditional chemotherapy drug, docitaxel, with the really bad side effects.  This is really, really good progress and great news for Jane.

On the side effects front, Jane still suffers from elevated blood pressure and "migraine" type headaches.  Last week Jane was in the hospital for two and a half days to address the high blood pressure and headaches. The doctors are attempting to manage these side effects through a combination of medications.  Jane has been a strong trooper through the cycles and maintains a great attitude.

Jane starts Cycle 24 today!  Jane will go through three twenty-one day cycles of taking the ABT 348,  which should bring us to Cycle 26 in early May 2013.  At that point, Jane will be "restaged" and the doctors will then assess the test results at that time to determine the path forward.  Until then, Jane will have nine good weeks to continue to build up her energy levels and strength to battle this cancer. The doctors told us that with this type of recurrent, metastasized cancer and Jane's response thus far that we should be prepared to start to view this as more of a chronic condition for Jane and learning to live with cancer.

We are so thankful and grateful for all the support and prayers and continue to be humbled by so much help from so many different people.  It is very comforting to know that we are not fighting alone and we have this wonderful army of support.   Thank you so much!

Update {February 12, 2013}

Jane met with her team of doctors today, Tuesday February 12, 2012, at MD Anderson for a regularly scheduled visit.  As Jane is taking only the ABT 348 during the month of  February, she is feeling much better in general.  Although her energy and stamina levels are good, she is still battling certain side effects, namely really  bad headaches from time to time, elevated blood pressure and lymphedema, among others. The doctors have prescribed medications to address these matters and Jane continues to soldier on with a positive attitude.

Jane felt good enough this month to attend a silent four day retreat at the Featherock Conference  Center located in Schulenberg, Texas.  The spiritual activities at the Center are entrusted to

Opus Dei, a personal prelature of the Catholic Church.  More information about retreats and other activities at the Center for men and women can be found at "www.featherock.org".  Jane's older sister, Jeanie from Shreveport, Louisiana, accompanied Jane on the retreat so we are not so sure about the "silent" nature of the retreat!  

 

We continue to be amazed at the incredible level of support, assistance and prayers since Jane was diagnosed with a stage 4, recurrent and metastasized cancer in October, 2011. Among other things, we love attending (when Jane is able to do so) the regular Monday night rosary at 8 pm which has been organized by Jane's dear friend, April, and which is held at the St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church's  Adoration Chapel with mostly our friends' children leading each decade of the rosary - - - how inspiring to hear the young, beautiful voices of the Church speak to heaven requesting the intercession of the Virgin Mary for Jane!